Whitefield, George | A rare autograph letter by George Whitefield, evangelist to America and one of the founders of Methodism , Whitefield, George | A rare autograph letter by George Whitefield, evangelist to America and one of the founders of Methodism

Whitefield, George
Autograph letter signed ("GW") to Ebenezer Blackwell, "Banker in Lombard Street London," reporting to one of his principal benefactors while preparing to embark for Georgia

3 pages (202 x 162 mm) on a bifolium, with autograph address panel with reception docket ("Revd. Mr. Geo. Whitefield, Lisbon Harbour, 19 March 1754"), Lisbon Harbour, 19 March 1754; fold separations and one margin crudely repaired with transparent tape, seal tear with loss of a few letters.

The famous evangelist writes to one of his major benefactors on the eve of sailing to America with a group of orphans to his Orphan Homes in Georgia

"How soon does the scene shift! At what a distance in a few days may we be remov’d from each other! On the 16th instant, that God whom I de[sire] to serve in the Gospel of His dear Son [brought?] me & my Orphan Charge in safety to this Harbour— As yet I have not been ashore, but expect to go to morrow — At this distance I see enough to bless the Lord of all Lords for calling me out of darkness into his marvelous light, & redeeming me from this present evil world— Oh, my dear old friend, to an eye fix’d on the everloving, ever lovely Jesus how little unspeakably little do all sublunary things appears appear! I hope this will find my Dr. Mr. Blackwell crying out from the very bottom of his heart, 'Indeed they are not worth a thought.' … The bank of Heaven is a sure bank— I have drawn thousands of bills upon it, and never had one sent back protested. God helping me, I purpose lodging my little Earthly all there— I hope my present poor but valuable Cargoe, will make some additions to my heavenly Inheritance. O free grace! That ever such an ill & hell deserving wretch as I am, should ever be called out to leave his carnal and spiritual friends, for that friend of sinners the Lamb of God! These partings are indeed trying to nature; but heaven, my Dr. Sr. will make amends for all— There I hope to meet you and yours. … There you shall be amply rewarded for all acts of kindness conferr’d either on me or mine. Increase my obligations, by continuing to pray for us, and accept this as a small tribute of thanks & a testimony of love unfeigned. …” In a postscript, Whitefield adds, "The little girl with her Companions are all well— O that the Father of mercy may reveal His dear Son in all their hearts!"

A rich devotional letter, seeming to indicate that Whitefield considered both grace and works as contributing to his salvation. Ebenezer Blackwell, a wealthy Great Awakening convert, was one of the principal supporters of Whitefield's evangelism. Blackwell also financed much of the charitable work of John and Charles Wesley.

Very scarce. Evidently only three autograph letters by Whitefield have appeared at auction sine 1975, none since 1997.

REFERENCE
A Select Collection of Letters of the Late Reverend George Whitefield (1772), 3:66–67 (with a number of differences in wording and incidentals)

Condition Report:
Condition as described in catalogue entry.